Polish startup Calmsie deals with implementing innovations in medicine, in particular in the field of mental health. The solutions are created in cooperation with the Psychiatric Clinic in New York. One of them can help people suffering from depression.
It all started with the desire to help the youngest in the fight against depression. The solution was developed by the startup founded by students of the University of Warsaw (UW) during their studies. For this purpose, Calmsie has developed a “Mission Amygdala,” a therapeutic mobile game that introduces cognitive-behavioral therapy content through a 4-week program involving psychoeducation, animated stories, and conversations with AI-powered videobots. Thanks to it, children have a chance to take care of their mental well-being.
How does it work?
A child between 6 and 12 sits in front of a computer and conducts a scripted conversation with a bot. The whole thing is built into a cartoon. The child chooses various options, and through the plot created by dozens of experts, multiple emotions emerge from the child. It is classically shared during a therapy session. It is how beautiful, empathic, and constructive behavior patterns are built. And it is enough for the parent to get a prescription for the application from the doctor, to which he will receive the access code at the pharmacy so that he can use it 2-3 times a day at certain times. Although the project seems controversial, it is the only chance to help children from small towns without psychological support.
New projects
The startup’s projects under development include:
- an innovative telemedicine platform,
- an intelligent system that recommends daily activities to improve the mental health and quality of life of users,
- a chatbot that, thanks to the use of NLP, guides you through CBT therapy techniques.
All Calmsie functionalities are available through the calmsie.ai platform and soon through Android and iOS applications.
Cooperation
Calmsie also cooperates with research units and universities as part of research and development projects based on innovations on a global scale. The startup is being developed by an interdisciplinary team experts from IT, mathematics, economics, medicine, and management. The originators, the winners of the IUW Ideas Laboratory, have created a 15-person team experienced in running grants and projects. And using new technologies to implement innovative solutions, particularly in medicine, through close cooperation with scientists. No wonder the company operates in Poland and through branches in London (Great Britain) and Miami (USA).
Results
The product’s first clinical trials are showing optimistic results. They attested, among other things, to a 27.8% and 13.3% reduction in the severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, respectively. Calmsie is currently conducting further clinical trials with the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society of America. It is planning a joint study with Neural Positive at Cornell University, as well. Last but not least, it has signed letters of intent with three companies (2 in the US and 1 in Poland) that have committed to using “Mission Amygdala.”
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